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I 

PRINCETON,     N.    J  , 

i 

Section. .".^^.^Ij^   I  I 

jVmnber 


c     ,!PJ.C.J  ^.^^<--  f"  ^;— ^/'-  ^""-Z 
^     ..     >rj^.— /^^v#/A.«^^--'-'-• 


1^     ,./^-^«--/.^^  #V  il^y^.:^^'^C^^^^^- 


I  Ai incs.ro myosin  ; naALf 

SKETCH 


OF    THE 


RISE,  PROGRESS  and  PRESENT  STATE 


OF    THE 


THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


OF    THE" 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  is  the  UNITED  STATES. 

TO   WHICH    IS    SUBJOINED, 

A   CO  PY 

t 

OF  THE 

CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  SEMINARY. 


(.*uhllshed  by  Order  of  the  Board  of  Directors. 


ELIZABETH  TOWN  : 
rintsd  \y  Shepsrd  KoilKlE,  Huly  opp«Bite  the  Aaedcmj.— IJl: 


SKETCH 

OF  THE 

RISE,   PROGRESS    AND    PRESENT   STATE 

OF  THE 

THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,  &c. 

J  HE  importance  of  the  union  of  piety  and  'earnino;  in 
the  Holy  Miiiistry,  is  one  of  those  radical  principles  of  ec- 
clesiastical uisiioni  which  the  experience  of  ages  has  serv- 
ed more  and  more  to  confirm.  If  the  Pricst^s  lips  were, 
ef  oldfto  keep  knoirlcdge;  if  the  IMinisters  of  the  Gospel 
are  hound  to  feed  the  people  with  Tcnonlcdge  and  with  jm- 
der standing  ;  then  notliing  can  be  plainer  than  that  igno- 
rance, or  small  and  indigested  knowledge  is,  next  to  the 
■want  of  piety,  one  of  the  most  serious  defects  in  a  candi- 
date for  the  sacred  office.  And  it  is  equally  plain,  that  no 
church  which  neglects  the  proper  education  of  her  minis- 
try, can  be  considered  as  faithful,  either  to  her  own  most 
precious  interests,  or  to  thy  honour  of  her  divine  Head  and 
Lord. 

Impressed  witli  these  solemn  convictions,  a  number  of 
the  Ministers  and  other  ^Members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  long  before  the  establishment  of  their  Seminary, 
now  so  happily  in  operation,  deeply  lamented  the  want  of 
such  an  Institution,  and  saw,  with  much  pain,  the  ex- 
treme disadvantages  under  which  candidates  for  the  Mi- 
nistry laboured,  in  pursuing  their  Theological  Studies, — 
They  saw  young  men,  after  devoting  only  twelve  or  eigh- 
teen months,  and,  in  some  instances,  much  less,  to  thcftu- 
dy  of  Theology ;  and  even,  for  that  time,  almost  wholly 
without  suitable  helps,  taking  on  themselves  tiie  most 
Avci^uty  and  respo;!sibic  oi  all  oii.ccs. 


[    4    ] 

They  saw  the  "  Reformed  Dutcli  Church,"  the  «  As- 
Bociite  Reformed  Ci.urch,"  and  the  Descendents  of  the 
venerable  Puritans  in  Nevv.England,all  going  before  them 
in  an  honourable  and  successful  career  of  exertion,  to  re- 
move thcr  disadvantages,  and  to  establish  Seminaries  for 
the  Instr  rtion  of  their  Candidates  for  the  Ministry;  and 
they  p  erceived,  that  unless  the  Presbyterian  Church 
sh  i  id  imitate  their  examples,  while  other  denominati- 
ons rose  and  flourished,  they  would  inevitably  decline,  and 
fall  into  a  state  of  discouraging  Aveakness  and  inferiority. 

Accordingly,  after  long  waiting,  and  after  much  coun- 
sel and  prayer,  the  proposal  to  establish  a  Theological  Se- 
init)ary  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  was  lirst  introduced 
into  the  General  Assembly,  during  the  sessions  of  that  body 
in  May,  1809.  It  was  so  far  countenanced,  that  an  overture 
onthesubject  was  -enl  down  to  all  the  Presbyteries  for  their 
consideration  and  judgment.  The  opinions  of  the  Presbyte- 
ries were  so  far  received  by  the  General  Assembly  which 
gat  the  next  year,  that  the  following  Resolution,  after  ma- 
ture deliberation,  was  adopted  by  a  nearly  unanimous 
vote,  viz. — 

"  Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  will,  in  the 
"  name  of  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church,  immediately 
**  attempt  to  establish  a  Seminary  for  securing  to  Candi- 
*'  dates  for  the  Ministry  more  extensive  and  efficient  The- 
"  ological  Instruction,  than  they  have  heretofore  enjoyed.** 

This  measure  was  followed  by  the  appointment  of  a 
large  Committee,  to  draft  a  Constitution  for  the  proposed 
Seminary;  who,  at  the  meeting  of  the  next  Assembly, 
May,  1811,  reported  their  draft,  which,  after  considera- 
ble amendment,  was  adopted.  This  Constitution  has  been 
for  some  years  before  the  public ;  Ixit  for  the  sake  of  those 
xvh©  may  not  have  iiad  an  opportunity  of  inspecting  it,  it 


[     5     ] 

wil!  he  subjoine  1,  at  full  lei  gth,  to  the  present  Sketch. 
The  friends  of  the  Seminary,  it  is  confidently  hoped,  will 
see  in  every  clause  of  that  instrument,  an  earnest  solicitude 
to  render  the  Institution  a  nursery  of  vital  godliness  as 
well  as  of  theological  learning ;  and  thus  make  it,  what  it 
can  never  otherwise  be  hoped  to  prove,  a  blessing  to  the 
Church  of  God. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  next  Assembly,  in  May,  1812,  the 
location  of  the  Seminary  washxed  at  Princeton,  in  New- 
Jersey;  a  Hoard  of  Directors  was  elected,  and  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Archibald  Alexander  was  appointed  Professor  of  Di- 
dactic and  Polemic  Theology.  On  the  last  Tuesday  of 
June  following,  the  Koard  of  Directors  held  their  first 
meeting.  On  the  l:^th  day  of  August,  of  the  same  year, 
the  Board  of  Directors  met  again,  anrl  Dr.  Alexander  was 
solemnly  inaugurated,  and  entered  on  the  dutiesof  his  of- 
fice. The  number  of  Students,  at  the  opening  of  the  Insti- 
tution, was  three. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly  in  May,  1813,  the 
number  of  Students  had  increased  to  eight.  By  this  As- 
ee'nbly  the  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Bliiler  was  elected  Professor 
of  Ecclesiastical  History  and  Church  Government,  and 
was  inaugurated  by  the  Board  of  Directors  on  the  20th 
of  September  following.  The  number  of  Students  has 
been  gradually  increasing  from  the  fust  opening  of  the 
Seminary  until  the  present  time.  The  highest  number,  at 
any  one  time,  has  been  forty-nine. 

The  General  Assembly,  in  1815,  taking  into  considera- 
tion the  great  inconveniences  resulting  to  the  Institution 
from  the  want  of  suitable  apartments  for  the  recitations, 
and  other  exercises  of  the  Seminary  ;  ai)d  more  especially 
the  numerous  privations,  and  even  dangers  to  their  health, 
to  which  the  students  were  sub^'fcted  by  the  want  pf  conve- 
nient j[)laces  of  lodging ;  determined  to  erect  a  Public  Edi- 


[     6    3 

iice  in  Princeton,  which  should  contain  all  the  pubh'ca- 
partments  indispensably  necessary  for  the  present,  aiid  al- 
so lodging  rooms  for  the  comfortable  accommodation  of  all 
the  pupils.  Accordingly  this  edifice  was  commenced  in  the 
autumn  of  that  year,  and  is  now  in  such  forwardness  that 
it  is  hoped  the  Institution  may  without  much  difiiCulty 
be  accommodated  in  it,  from  and  after  thccomraencem.ent 
of  the  next  session.  Tiiis  building  is  of  stone,  one  hundred 
and  fifty  feet  in  'cngth,  fifty  in  breadth,  and  four  stories 
high,  inclutling  the  basement  story.  The  estimated  cost, 
before  the  work  was  actually  begun,  was  between  forty- 
seven  and  forty-eight  thousand  dollars ;  and  it  is  now  re- 
duced to  a  certainty,  that  it  cannot  exceed  much,  if  any, 
fifty  thousand  dollars.  This  edifice  has  bt^en admired  by 
all  who  have  seen  it,  as  a  model  of  neat  and  even  elegant ; 
and,  at  the  same  time,  of  plain  economical,  and  remarkably 
solid  workmanship.  When  finished,  it  will  be  at  once  an 
honour  and  a  blessing  to  the  church.  The  erection  of  it 
IhHS  far  has  alreatly  nearly  exhausted  the  funds  hitherto 
collected — to  finish  it  will  require  a  vigorous  exertion.—- 
That  this  exertion  will  be  made,  and  that  it  will  be 
crowned  with  success,  cannot  for  a  moment  be  doubted. 
Our  confidence  in  a  happy  result  is  unshaken.  The  tokens 
of  Divine  favour  toward  the  Institution  forbid  us  to  fear. 
The  hearts  of  men  are  in  tlie  hands  of  Zion's  King  ;  and 
the  silver  arid  the  gold  will  not  be  witiiheld  from  a  work, 
which  we  are  persuaded  he  delights  to  prosper. 

Although  this  "  School  of  the  Prophets"  has  existed 
but  little  more  than  five  years ;  and  although  it  has  con- 
stantly laboured  under  serious  disadvantages,  from  the 
■^vant  of  funds,  of  a  suitable  library,  and  of  other  import- 
ant accommodations ;  it  has  exhibited  results  of  the  most 
gratifying  and  animating  kind.  The  students  who  have 
been  in  the  Institution  from  its  c  mm  n  ement,  incladmg 
those  who  now  belong  to  it,  amount  iu  ninety-seven-    Of 


f  ^  3 

ihe^T,  forty-seven  have  Seen  licensed  to  preach  tlie  GospeJ. 
Twenty-four  are  settled  Pastors,  some  of  them  in  congTe- 
gations  amonc^  the  most  important  within  our  bounds; 
andthe  labours  of  several  of  them  have  been  blessed  with 
special  revivals  of  relii!;iot).     Twenty  have  been  engaged, 
or  are  now  engaged,  in  Missionary  labours,  or  have  accept- 
ed Missionary  appointments.     The  labours  of  several  of 
them  on  Missionary  ground,  have  been  signally  owned 
and  blessed  by  the  Gxeat  Head  of  the  church.     Congre- 
gationf^    in  very  important  situations  have  been  formed 
through  thf'  instrumentality  of  their  labours: — And  the 
pouring  out  of  the  Hoiy  Spirit  has,  in  several  instances, 
remarka!)ly  f  dlowed   them.      Tiie  field  of  labour  into 
which  many  of  them  have  gone,  or  are  going,  is   exceeding- 
ly important.     Through  the  last  year  the  students  of  the 
S'-minary  have  been  ictively  engaged  on  ^Missionary  ground 
in  the  states  of  New- York,  Pennsylvania,  Virginia,  North 
Carolina,  South   Carolina,  Tennessee,  Ohio  and  Indiana, 
and  the  Michigan  and  Illinois  Territories — And  appoint* 
cients  have  now  been  accepted,  in  addition  to  other  re- 
gions, lor  the  Missouri  Territory,  the  IMississippi  Territo- 
ry, and  Alobile  and  the  city  of  New  Orleans. 

The  students  have  been  actively  and  successfully  en- 
gaged in  the  vicinity  of  the  Seminary  in  promoting  the  in- 
terests of  religion — And  there  is  now  existing  among  theni, 
a  "  Society  of  Inquiry  respecting  Missions;"  this  society 
was  instituted  in  the  spring  of  ISli.  It  meets  once  a 
month.  Its  object  is  to  store  the  minds  of  the  students 
with  knowledge  on  Alissionary  subjects,  to  ascertain  the 
situation  and  wants  of  dcsti  ute  regions  of  the  world,  and 
the  best  means  of  spreading  the  Gospel  among  them;  and 
to  enkindle  and  cherish  the  spirit  of  Missionaries  in  their 
own  souls — It  is  especially  to  this  instituiion,  under  G  )d, 
that  the  Missiwaary  spirit  is  to  t*u  ascnbed,  wJUich  kas 


[    8    ] 

iately  been  excited  among  the  students  of  the  Seminary, 
and  which  promises  to  be  extensively  useful  to  the  Redeem- 
er's Kingdom. 

These  facts  speak  a  language  in  favour  of  the  Seminary 
which  cannot  be  mistaken.     If  any  thing  can  animate  its 
friends,  and  reconcile  te  its  support  those  wlio  have  hitli- 
crto  regarded  it  with  aversion  or  indiirerence,  it  is  the  ex- 
tensive benefits  which  it  has  already  procured  to  the  church. 
However  Christians  may  differ  as  to  the  means  of  doing 
good,  they  must  rejoice  in  ail  those  efforts  which  promote 
the  glory  of  God,  and  accomplish  the  designs  of  his  grace, 
in  the  salvation  of  men.     The  claims  of  the  Theological 
Seminary  at  Princeton  do  not  rest  on  the  promises  of  use- 
fulness, but  on  the  actual  advantages  which  it  hdis  furnish- 
ed.   Already  it  has  sent  forth  able  and  faithful  labourers 
into  the  harvest ;  workmen  that  need  not  be  ashamed, 
rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth.     The  prayers  of  the 
church  are  answered.     The  borders  of  our  country  arc 
pressed  with  the  feet  of  Missionaries,  who  have  been  edu- 
cated in  this  Institution.     Sinners  are  now  listening  to  the 
Gospel  from  lips  that  have  drunk  deeply  at  the  fountain 
of  sacred  truth.     The  student  has  exchanged  his  place  at 
the  feet  of  his  teachers,  to  engage  in  the  active  labours  of 
the  cross,  and  to  proclaim  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ. 
In  various  parts  of  the  church,  desolated  by  the  death  of 
the  fathers,  have  risen  the  children ;  and  it  is  a  most  grat- 
ifying circumstance,  one  w-hich  we  consider  as  a  peculiar 
manifestation  of  divine  favour,  that  in  some  congrega- 
tion, where  the  pastor  was  chosen  from  among  the  Stud- 
ents of  our  Seminary,  there  have  been  extensive  revivals. 
In  proportion  as  this  Institution  shall  be  kn  wn,  it  will 
gain   on  the  aiTection  of  the  churclies.     Its  importance 
must  be  felt  in  every  section  of  our  community.     It  is  a 
fountain  which  enjoys,  it  is  believed,  the  favour  and  pro- 
tection of  Zion's  Xing.     His  own  right  hand  is  throwing 


C  9  ] 

into  it  the  salt  of  grace,  an  i  its  streams  are  already  flow- 
ing  to  revive  the  desert.  To  prottctit;  to  give  it  the  full 
advantages  of  the  cordial  exertions  and  prayers  of  the 
church,  are  duties  which  the  indications  of  Providence 
and  palpal)le  events  have  placed  beyond  the  reach  of 
<Ioubt  or  question.  It  requires  the  prompt  and  prayerful 
aid  of  its  friends.  This  is  a  season  of  deep  interest  to  its 
welfare.  Every  day  its- importance  and  respectability  are 
rising. — The  hopes  of  its  friends  are  more  than  realized. 
The  practicability  of  its  design  is  reduced  to  demonstra- 
tion. We  call  upon  our  churches  to  contribute  to  its  funds ; 
to  redeem  their  pledge ;  to  give  it  all  the  ardour  of  their 
supplication,  and  so  much  of  their  substance  as  shall  ena- 
ble it  to  do  all  the  good  of  which  it  is  capable. 

From  what  has  been  done  we  may  anticipate  what  this 
institution  is  designed  to  do.  It  requires  not  the  spirit  of 
prophesy  to  foresee,  that  by  its  instrumentality,  under  the 
favour  of  God,  the  waste  places  of  Zion  will  be  rebuilt^ 
sinners  will  be  converted  to  Jesus;  his  children  strength- 
ened, comforted  and  confirmed.  To  this  generation  it  is 
vastly  important ;  to  the  next  it  is  £.till  moke  £o  ;  and  we 
cannot  but  believe  that  the  millennial  morn  will  bespread 
ui)on  it,  as  upon  |,he  mountains ;  tliat  it  is  one  of  tiie  pre- 
cursors of  the  season  of  righteousness,  and  raany  have  a. 
deep  instrumentality  in  proiuotin;  its  reign.  This  Insti- 
tution cannot  be  suJlered  to  langnish  without  involving 
the  chavacter  and  interests  of  our  church  deeply  and  vi- 
tally.  It  was  eetablished  with  prayer.  Its  resources  are  in 
the  hearts  of  the  churclies.  Its  income,  and  its  prosperity, 
under  God,  must  come  from  a  spirit  excited  to  do  good^ 
and  that  will  "  not  be  weary  i^  well  Doise." 

That  the  friends  of  this  Institution  may  be  the  better 
able  to  judge  of  its  wants,  and  of  the  various  ways  in 
which  the  wealthy  and  the  pious  may  contribute  to  its 

B 


[  10  ] 

benefit,  it  is  judged  proper  to  exiiihit,  in  detail,  the  fol- 
lowing items,  with  a  distinct  explanation  connected  with 
each. 


I.  The  Support  of  the  Professors. 

This  is  mentioned  first,  because  it  is  the  most  vital  and 
indispensable  part  Qi  the  whole.  A  Theological  Seminary, 
uithoiit  adequate  Instructors,  would,  of  course,  be  a  name 
tvithout  a  reality.  And  it  is  equally  evident,  that  capable 
Instructors  cannot  be  expected  to  quit  other  important 
stations,  and  devote  themselves,  for  life,  to  this  object, 
without  some  good  prospect  of  a  comfortable  and  perma- 
nent support.  It  has  been  a  painful  circumstance,  both 
lo  the  General  Assembly,  and  to  the  Board  of  Directors, 
that  the  present  Professors,  witli  respect  to  this  point,  have 
had  no  other  human  dependence,  than  what  was  very  pre- 
carious, and  which  has  repeatedly  threatened  to  fall  ut- 
terly short  of  what  was  necessary  for  the  payment  of  their 
tdlaries.  It  is  earnestly  desired  that  some  permanent  esta- 
blisliments  might  be  formed  for  this  purpose ;  in  other 
words,  that  wealthy  and  pious  individuals  would  endow 
Professorships ;  that  is,  give  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly  a  principal  sum,  not  less  than  S25,000,  in 
eacii  case,  the  annual  interest  of  which  might  be  devoted 
for  ever  to  the  support  of  a  Professor.  Tliis  has  been  done 
in  some  sister  institutions,  with  a  liberality  which  reflects 
the  highest  honour  on  a  numbef  of  distinguished  individ- 
uals. The  names  of  liollis  and  Jjo^lston,  of  Haiicock^ 
Hersey  and  Ervingy  designating  so  many  different  Profes- 
sorships in  the  University  of  Cambridge,  in  Massacluisef  Is, 
have  long  been  monuments  of  splendid  munificence,  and 
in  wiH  be  transmitted  with  honour  to  the  end  of  time :  And 


[   11   3 

llie  Tlieological  Seminary  at  Jndovcr,  the  Frofesso  rshijn 
of  Christian  Tlicologi/y  of  Sacred  Jxhctoricy  and  of  Sacred 
Literalure,  confer  on  the  names  of  Bartlett  and  Abbots  of 

BronrnTuifX  Norris  an  illustrious  immortality. Can  the 

thnu;j;ht  be  admiftctl  that  there  is  less  enlightened  attach- 
ruent  to  the  Church  of  Christ,  or  less  disposition  to  cxsrcisn 
munificence  in  the  l)est  of  all  causes,  in  the  bosom  of  the 
PreshytcrianChnrch,thanamongour  Congregational  Breth- 
ren of  New-England  ?  No,  it  cannot.  We  rather  cherish 
the  hope,  that  when  the  object  is  fairly  presented,  and  the 
urgent  necessities  of  the  Institution  whose  cause  wc  are 
pleading,  are  fully  made  known,  there  will  also  be  found  a- 
mong  us  an  amount  of  christian  liberalit}-,  in  some  degree 
commensurate  with  the  dcmaadfor  its  exercise. 

It  will  be  observed,  that  the  Constitution  of  the  Semi- 
nary provides,  "  That  if  any  person  or  persons,  not  ex- 
*'  ceeding  tliree,  shall,  by  will,  or  during  his  or  their  lives, 
"  found  or  endow  a  Professorship,  or  Professorships,  said 
*'  Professorship,  or  Professorships,  shall  for  ever  afterwards 
"  be  called  and  known  by  the  name  or  names  of  those  who 

"  founded  or  endowed  them." As  no  Professorship,  as 

yet,  has  thus  been  endowed,  any  one  of  the  three  mention- 
ed in  Section  1st,  Article  3d,  of  the  Constitution  may  be 
selected  as  the  object  of  such  endowment :  But  as  the  Pro- 
fessorship oi  Oriental  and  Biblical  Literature  is  still  vacant, 
for  want  of  the  means  of  supporting  a  third  Professor,  it 
■would  be  conferring  a  peculiar  favour  on  the  Institution  if 
that  Professorship  could  be  adequately  endowed,  as  a  third 
Professor' is  much  needed. 

The  General  Assembly  of  1815,  resolved,  "  That  a  sum 
"  not  less  than  tncntij-fwc  thousand  dollars  shouUl  be  con- 
**■  fiidercd  as  requisite  to  endow  a  Professorship."   . 


[    12    J 


11,     Tilt  Support  of  Students-, 

A  na  >'bpr  of  the  students  belonging  to  the  Serainaiy  are 
wnable  :  provide  the  means  of  their  own  support ;  and  ud- 
less  these  means  were  furnished  from  other  sources,  would 
he  obliged  to  withdraw  from  the  Institution,  and  from  ali 
the  advantages  which  it  affords.  This  generally  has 
been,  and  is  now  the  case,  with  al^out  one  third  of  the 
whole  number.  But  after  all  that  has  been  done  in  this  way^ 
many  pious  and  promising  youug  men  in  different  parts  of 
our  church,  who  desired  to  come  to  the  Seminary,  have 
Ircen  prevented  from  enjoying  the  privilege,  because  no 
encouragement  to  hope  for  support  could  be  held  out  to 
tTiem ;  and  in  eome  cases,  it  is  feared  the  church  has  beea 
ailogether  depiived  of  the  services  of  precious  youth,  who 
Ipight  have  adorned  her  ministry;  but  who  saw  no  door 
open  for  pursuing  the  studies  necessary  to  qualify  them  for 
the  sacred  office. 

It  is  of  the  utmost  importance,  then,  that  funds  be  fur^ 
nished  for  the  support  of  indigent  students,  or  to  afford  a 
partial  aid  to  those  whose  means  are  too  scanty  to  furnish 
an  entire  support.  Indeed  the  Seminary  cannot  be  con- 
sidercd  as  accomplishing  all  that  it  is  intended  to  accom- 
plish, until  it  shall  be  able  freely  to  open  its  doors  to  aH 
the  youth  of  piety  and  talents,  who  may  desire  the  holy 
Ministry,  whether  in  possession  or  destitute  of  the  means 
of  support,  and  gratuitously  to  aiTord  them  boarding,  as 
well  as  tuition. 

For  this  purpose,  it  will  be  observed,  that  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  Seminary  provides  for  the  endowment  of  Srho- 
farships,  that  is,  devoting  a  principal  sum,  the  interest  ol 


[    18    1 

wliich  shall  be  sacredly  applied,  for  ever,  to  the  support  of  an 
indigent  student.  These  Scholarships,  it  is  further  provided, 
shall  for  ever  bear  the  name  of  their  founder?  respectively. 
Three  Scholarsliips  have  been  already  founded  :)y  distin- 
guished friends  of  the  Seminary  ;  and  it  is  earnestly  hop- 
ed that  their  number  ^vilI  be  increased.  Can  a  christian  of 
•wealth  and  pu!)lic  spirit  devote  a  portion  of  his  properly 
to  a  more  interesting  purpose?  To  provide  for  the  educa- 
tion of  one  minister  of  the  t:ospel  after  another,  in  an  un- 
broken succession,  perhaps  to  the  end  of  time,  is  surely  one 
of  the  mostdepirabjeachievmentsof  christian  charity  -.vhich 
a  truly  pious  mind  can  contemplate :  and  this  is  to  be  done 
by  so  small  a  sum  as  twenty-five  hundred  dollars.  To 
what  other  object  can  such  a  sum  be  appropriated,  that 
will  be  likely  so  extensively  to  promote  the  glory  of  God, 
the  good  of  souls,  and  the  eternal  reward  of  the  pious  do- 
nor ? 

The  General  Assembly  have  determined  that  a  suranof 
less  than  tno  thousandjloc  hundred  dollars  shall  be  consid- 
ered as  requisite  to  endow  a  Scholarship. 

The  greater  part,  however,  of  the  support  which  has 
been  hitherto  furnished  to  indigent  students,  has  been  de- 
rived from  the  contributions  of  Female  Cent  Societies  in 
difl'erent  districts  of  our  church.  It  is  highly  gratifying 
and  nothing  more  than  justice,  to  state,  that  by  the  libe- 
rality of  pious  females,  sixteen  student Sy  in  the  course  of  a 
single  year,  have  been  either  in  whole  or  in  part,  support- 
ed in  the  prosecution  of  their  studies.  It  is  very  much  to 
be  wished,  not  only  that  the  Societies  already  formed 
may  be  maintained  and  extended,  but  also  that  new  ones 
may  be  formed  in  those  portions  of  the  church,  in  which 
nothing  of  this  kind  has  been  done.  A  few  pious  females 
by  associating,  and  contrib,  ing  annually  two  or  three 
dollars  eachj  may  become  the  happy  instruments  of  fnrn- 


ishing'  funds  which  will  nearly,  if  not  entirely,  carry 
through  the  Seminary,  a  youth,  who  may  be  long  an  emi- 
nent herald  of  the  cross,  and  a  means,  of  blessing  to  thou- 
sands. 

The  funds  furnished  by  the  Female  Cent  Societies 
have  been  {generally  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  Profes- 
sors, who  deposit  them  in  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer  of 
the  Board  of  Directors,  subject  to  their  drafts:  and  of 
the  manner  in  which  they  are  appropriated,  an  exact  re- 
pert  is  annually  made  by  the  Professors  to  the  Board  of 
Directors,  and  an  account  of  the  monies  received  from  the 
several  Cent  Societies,  published  in  the  annual  report  of 
the  Board,  for  the  information  of  the  Churches. 


III.     The  Purchase  of  an  adequate  Library. 

A  good  library  is  an  article  of  the  first  necessity  in  a 
Theological  Seminary.  Without  it,  students  are  sub- 
jected to  privations  and  embarrassments  of  the  most  seri- 
ous kind,  at  every  step  of  their  course.  The  Libra- 
ry at  present  possessed  by  the  Seminary  is  very  small 
and  imperfect.  It  contains  comparatively  few  of  the 
bool^s  which  are  most  important  to  the  Theological  stu- 
dents. And  of  the  few  valuable  ones  which  it  does  con- 
tain, there  arc,  in  most  cases,  only  single  copies ;  whereas 
with  respect  to  a  number  of  I)ooks,  it  is  highly  desirable, 
and  almost  indispensable,  that  there  should  be  a  consider- 
able number  of  copies.  The  friends  of  the  Seminary  in 
every  part  of  the  United  States  are  respectfully  informed, 
that  doiia<  ions  in  books,  of  almost  every  kind,  will  be  grate- 
fully received ;  but  that  the  Institution  especially  needs 


C    15   ]  ^ 

v,'orVs  on  Biblical  Criticism,  both  Ilebre\7  and  Greek,  ap- 
proved Lexicons^  works  on  Systematic  Theology,  in  ali  lau- 
j^uages,  works  on  Ecclesiastical  History  and  Church  Gov- 
cr7iment ;  and,  in  short,  all  those  books  which  are  more  im- 
mediately connected  with  tlie  actual  studies  of  the  Institu- 
tion. But,  besides  donations  in  books,  any  friend  of  the  Se- 
minary disposed  to  contribute  to  its  funds,  may,  if  he 
think  proper,  direct  that,  whatever  he  shall  contribute, 
shall  be  devoted  to  the  increase  of  the  Library. 

ly.  The  necessary  Buildings  for  the  Use  of  the 
Seminary. 

The  present  state  and  the  urgent  demands  of  the  princi- 
pal public  Edifice,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  Students, 
were  before  represented.  It  wil!  probably,  in  a  few  weeks, 
be  in  a  situation,  with  some  crowding  and  inconvenience, 
to  serve  the  purposes  of  the  Institution,  during  the  ensu- 
ing cession.  But  a  variety  of  circumstances  render  it  high- 
Jy  desireable  that  the  whole  of  ii  should  be  finished  as  soon 
as  funds  can  be  obtained  for  the  purpose,  especially  as  there 
appears  to  be  a  prospect  that  the  whole  of  it  will,  at  an 
early  period,  be  wanted. 

Such  is  the  state,  and  such  are  tlie  claims  and  the  wants 
of  an  Institution  which,  it  is  presumed,  is  second  to  none 
in  importance  to  tlie  American  Churcli.  For  its  support 
v,'e  have  no  human  dependence  but  the  liberality  of  the 
wealthy  and  pious.  "Whether  it  shall  proceed  with  vigour 
and  effect,  or  with  lani;oar  and  comparative  inutility,  de- 
pends, under  God,  on  the  patronage  it  shall  receive.  We 
tall,  then,  on  the  friends  of  religion,  to  consider  the  iin- 
portance,  and  the  critical  situation  of  the  object  which  w« 
present  to  their  view.    You  acknowledge  that  vnu  are  7T>'- 


if. 

jrowr  otvn,  but  that  y»u  are  bought  with  apriee^  and  are  bound 
to  ^t'^fify  God  in  your  bodies  and  spirits  which  are  his.  If 
it  be  so,  your  silver  and  your  gold  are  the  Lord's;  and  yoU 
are  under  obligations  to  employ  them,  in  such  a  manner 
as  will  most  effectually  promote  t  he  glory  of  Him  by  whoss 
bounty  tiiey  were  given  you.  With  this  great  principle 
in  view,  consider  the  pressing  calls  of  large  and  tlourishiug 
, churches,  who  solicit  in  vain  for  Ministers  to  break  to  thera 
the  bread  of  life.  Consider  the  necessities  of  many  pious 
and  ingenuous  youth,  who  are  at  present  either  discourag- 
ed from  making  the  attempt  to  gain  an  education  for  the 
ministry ;  or  going  forth  very  imperfectly  qualified  for 
their  arduous  work.  Consider  the  honour  of  tlie  church 
with  which  you  are  connected;  the  interests  of  religion 
for  which  yo!i  profess  to  feel ;  the  innn'te  value  of  immor- 
tal souls  who  are  perishing  for  lack  of  knowledge ;  the  au- 
thority of  that  God  who  commands  you  to  compassionate 
them.  And  we  entreat  you  to  rciiect  on  what  will  proba- 
bly be  your  feelings  and  wishes  in  regard  to  the  disposi- 
tion of  any  property  of  which  God  has  made  you  stew- 
ards, at  that  solemn  period  when  you  shall  appear  with 
an  assembled  universe,  at  the  tribunal  of  the  great  Judge 

of  quick  and  dead We  entreat  you  to  reflect  on  these 

things;  and  then  say,  whether  you  can  consent  to  with- 
hold a  portion  of  your  substance,  w  hen  called  upon  to  aid 
in  one  of  the  most  important  concerns  ever  preserited  to 
your  consideration. 

The  foHowing  are  legal  forms  of  a  bequest  of  personal 
property,  and  a  devise  of  real  estate  to  the  Theological  Se- 
minary, viz, 

IN  CASES  OF  PERSONAL  PROPERTV. 

t give  and  bequeath  to  the  Trustees  of  the  General  Js' 
scmbbi  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of' 


[   ir   ] 

America^^and  to  their  Sucresscrrs  and  Assigns,  the  sum  of  j^^* 

or  shares  in  the  Ba?ik  of 
(or  any  other  pp.rsonni  property,  as  the  case  may  be)  to  be 
applied  to  the  use  of  the  Theolpgieal  Seminary  of  said 
Church,  and  now  located  at  Princeton,  in  the  state  of  Ncw- 
Jcrse'i ;  or,  to  f  he  support  of  students  in  indis^ent  circum- 
stances in  said  Seminar// ;  or,  to  such  other  uses  as  the  tes- 
tator may  think  proper  to  express. 

IN  CASES  OF  REAL  ESTATE. 

I  give  and  devise  to  the  Trustees,  <?■(;.  (as  above)  all  that 
tract  or  lot  of  land  or  tenement^  messuage  or  other  >  eal  es- 
tate, (as  the  case  may  be)  situate  in,  ^^c.  for  the  use,  ^-c. 
(as  above.) 

The  above  forms  may  be  used  by  a  testator  residing  in 
the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  where  the  Trustees  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  have  been  incorporated ;  but  in  the  other 
states  of  the  union  the  following  forms  are  recommended, 
viz: 

IN  CASES  OF  KEAL  ESTATE. 

I  give  and  devise  unto  A,  B,  &  C',*  and  the  survivors  and 
survivor  of  them,  and  the  heirs  of  such  survivor,  (describe 
the  real  estntt.)  ^/or  the  use  of,  and  in  trust  for,  the  direc- 
tors of  the  J'heolagical  Scminar/jofthc  Fresbiitcrian  Church 
of  the  United  States,  now  located  at  Frinceton,  in  the  state 
of  New-Jersey. 

IN  CASES  OF  PERSONAL  ESTATE. 

Igive  and  bequeath,  (as  above,  excepting  instead  of  "  the 
"  heirs  of  such  sursivor,'^  say,)  the  executors,  adjninistra- 
tors  and  assigns  of  such  survivor. 

*  The  teflator  may  appoint  but  one  or  two  truftees,  if  he  thinks 
proper,  , 

C 


[     18    ] 

The  Professtrs  of  the  Seminary  are : 

Eev.  Archibald  Alexander,  D.  D.  Professor  of  Didactic 
a  d  Polemic  Theology. 

Rev.  Samuel  Miller,  D.  D.  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical 
History  and  Church  Government, 

Three  Scholarships  have  been  founded^  viz. 

The  Scholarship,  >  Both  founded  by  an  un- 

The  ■ Scholarship,  J  known  individual  N.  York. 

The  Lenox  Scholarship,  founded  by  Robert  Lenox,  esq. 
of  New- York. 

The  Officers  of  the  Board  of  Directors  are : 

Ashbel  Green,  D.  D.  President. 

John  Woodhull,  D.  D.  Vice-President. 

John  M'DowcIl,  Secretary. 

The  present  Directors  of  the  Seminar jj  are: 

MINISTERS.  ELDERS. 

Samuel  Blatchford,  d.  d.       Divie  Bethune, 
Francis  Herron,  Robert  Lenox, 

James  Hall,  d.  d.  John  M'Mullin. 

John  Johnston, 
Robert  G.  Wilson, 
David  Comfort, 
John  E.  Ldtta. 

John  Woodhull,  d.  d.  i^echarlah  Lewis, 

Eliphalet  Nott,  d.  d.  Joseph  C.  Hornblower, 

James  Blythe,  d.  d.  John  yan  Cleve. 

James  Ins;! is,  d.  d. 
Asa  Hillyer, 
Jonathan  Freeman, 
John  Chester. 


[  19  ] 


Ashbel  Green,  d.  d. 
William  Neill,  d.  d. 
John  IM'Dowell, 
James  Richards,  d.  d. 
John  B.  Romeyn,  d.  d. 
Robert  Finley,  d.  d. 
Jacob  Jv  Janeway,  d.  d. 


Robert  Ralston, 
John  R.  B.  Rodgers, 
Samuel  Bayard. 


Vi^r 


^i^if 


